China timber product exports reach US$31.5bn

China’s total forest product exports were valued at US$31.5bn in the first nine months of 2011, according to the International Tropical Timber Organisation’s latest market report.

The total was up 17% on a year ago, with wooden furniture making up the biggest area, worth US$12.4bn, 32% of which went to the US. The UK was the third largest destination, with imports worth US$664m.

China exported 7.25 million m³ of plywood during the period, worth US$3.2m – a 28% rise on a year ago.

The US, Japan and the UK were again the three largest importers with a 14%, 9% and 7% share respectively.

Solid wood flooring exports totalled 297,300 tonnes, valued at US$465.2m – down 9% in volume and 7% in value.